Associate Spacecraft Engineer

Position Title: Associate Spacecraft Engineer

Work Location: Albuquerque, NM

• Clearance Requirement: Must have the ability to qualify and maintain a Top Secret security clearance.  U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a clearance.

• Employment Type: Full-time

About Us: BlackVe, Inc. is a mission-first, dynamic, and innovative national security-focused company focused on emerging space and advanced technologies dedicated to pushing the boundaries of engineering excellence in support of our government customers.

Job Description:

The Associate Spacecraft Engineer is an entry-level engineering position responsible for supporting the design, development, integration, testing, launch, and operation of spacecraft systems and missions. This role provides an opportunity for early-career engineers to contribute to innovative space programs while working alongside experienced multidisciplinary engineering teams.

The Associate Spacecraft Systems Engineer will collaborate with professionals across electrical, mechanical, systems, aerospace, software, manufacturing, and mission operations disciplines to ensure spacecraft performance, reliability, and mission success. Candidates from a variety of engineering backgrounds are encouraged to apply, including Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Systems Engineering, and closely related fields.

This is a fully on-site position based in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Key Responsibilities and Essential Job Functions:

• Support the design, analysis, development, integration, and testing of spacecraft and spacecraft subsystems.

• Assist in the development and verification of spacecraft requirements, specifications, and interface documentation.

• Participate in system architecture trades, technical reviews, and design evaluations.

• Perform engineering analyses related to spacecraft design.

• Support spacecraft assembly, integration, and test (AI&T) activities.

• Contribute to mission planning, operational procedures, and anomaly resolution efforts.

• Develop technical reports, test procedures, engineering documentation, and presentations.

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, suppliers, and external partners to support program objectives.

• Assist in troubleshooting hardware, software, and system-level issues during development and mission operations.

• Support compliance with applicable industry standards, quality requirements, and mission assurance processes.

• Execute engineering tasks under the guidance of senior engineers and technical leads.

• Analyze test results and engineering data to identify trends, issues, and opportunities for improvement.

• Participate in spacecraft subsystem integration and verification activities.

• Support preparation and execution of environmental, functional, and performance testing.

• Develop and maintain engineering models, calculations, and analyses using industry-standard tools.

• Contribute to risk identification, mitigation planning, and issue resolution activities.

• Attend and participate in technical meetings, design reviews, and customer briefings.

• Communicate technical concepts and findings clearly through written reports and verbal presentations.

• Maintain configuration control and documentation accuracy throughout the product lifecycle.

• Adhere to safety, security, and quality assurance procedures.

• Support engineering decisions with sound analytical evidence anchored in first principles.

• Foster a culture of collaboration, personal ownership, accountability, and self-learning.

Required Qualifications:

• Must have the ability to qualify and maintain a Top-Secret security clearance

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.

• 0 to 5 years of relevant engineering experience through employment, internships, cooperative education programs, research projects, or academic coursework.

• Fundamental understanding of spacecraft systems, aerospace engineering principles, or complex electromechanical systems.

• Knowledge of engineering analysis, design, and problem-solving methodologies.

• Experience using engineering software tools relevant to the candidate's discipline.

• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, specifications, and technical documentation.

• Strong analytical, organizational, and critical-thinking skills.

• Effective written and verbal communication skills.

• Ability to work collaboratively in multidisciplinary technical teams.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Active Secret, Top Secret, L or Q Security Clearance

• Knowledge of spacecraft subsystems, such as attitude determination and control, avionics, propulsion, communications, power, thermal management, and flight software.

• Experience applying systems engineering principles within cost- and schedule-constrained development programs.

• Experience with model-based systems engineering (MBSE) tools and methodologies, including architecture modeling, requirements traceability, coverage analysis, impact analysis, and digital-thread implementation.

• Experience developing and maintaining mass, power, link, thermal, or other spacecraft system budgets.

• Familiarity with systems engineering processes, requirements management, and verification planning.

• Experience supporting environmental qualification, launch readiness, and on-orbit operations.

• Experience with CAD, modeling and simulation tools, MATLAB/Simulink, Python, C/C++, or similar engineering software.

• Exposure to mission operations, flight dynamics, orbital mechanics, or ground systems.

• Knowledge of industry standards and practices applicable to spacecraft development.

• Participation in university design teams, CubeSat programs, rocketry programs, robotics competitions, or other hands-on space-related engineering projects.

Location and Travel Requirements:

• This position is based in Albuquerque, NM, with occasional travel to other company locations or partner facilities as needed.  

Why Join Us:

• Mission first-Always. We prioritize delivering results that directly support space and intelligence community programs and national security objectives.

• We operate as one team, grounded in trust, accountability, and open collaboration, where individuals actively support one another to achieve shared mission success.

• Work on high-impact programs across space, ISR, and advanced technology domains supporting DoD and IC customers.

• Ownership-driven culture is founded in teamwork where every employee is an owner, with equity participation and a direct stake in our success.

• Competitive compensation and benefits package, including flexible time off; 401(k) with company contribution

• Constant opportunities for program and professional impact.

ITAR / EAR Requirements:

This position may include access to technology and/or data that is subject to U.S. export controls pursuant to ITAR and EAR.  To comply with federal export controls, all persons hired must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, U.S. lawful permanent resident, refugee or asylee as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(A)(3), or must otherwise be eligible to obtain the required authorization from the U.S. Department of State and/or U.S. Department of Commerce as applicable.

How to Apply:

Please submit your resume and brief cover letter outlining your qualifications and interest on the form below. If there are any issues with applying or inquiries, please email to hiring@blackve.us.

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